Let Me Share A Few Recipe's With You OK

On New Year's Day a few people came for dinner. Let me share a few good recipes with you OK. I made homemade apple sauce, I really enjoy making this because it is just good. I get a variety of apples (types best used when baking) and peel them and then either grate them or chop them up in smaller chunks (core them and do not use the apple core where the seeds are.) I place them into a pot and pour either apple cider or apple juice (I even have used orange juice before too) into the pot to be used as the liquid to help in the cooking of the apples. I do not measure this I just pour what I think would be enough. I then grate some cinnamon and I also add ground cinnamon to it too. I like the flavor of the cinnamon. My secret which will not be a secret anymore since I am sharing it with you all is I add the cinnamon hearts candy to it too. The little red cinnamon hearts are easy to find this time of the year since it is near Valentine's Day. Stores seem to carry this candy this time of the year. I think that they may be referred to as Imperial Hearts too. They actually melt while cooking and it gives the apple sauce a nice tinge of red color to it. Then cook on medium to med-low heat and let the apples break down. Then when they feel like they have cooked down then go ahead and mash them with a potato masher.
You can either serve this warm or cold it is your preference. Some may even like this served warm over vanilla ice cream and it tastes like warm apple pie a la mode but without the added calories of the crust of the pie.
This next recipe, when I received it, it was created to serve 28 people so I adjusted it in size to serve 7 people. This is a delicious dip served warm with crackers If you cannot find sun dried tomatoes packed in oil then this is what I do. I purchase sun dried tomatoes and I place them in olive oil to plump them back up, it works it really does. I have done this more than once so that is how I can tell you it works.
SUN DRIED TOMATO SPREAD
4 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove minced garlic
1.75 oz oil packed sun dried tomatoes chopped & drained
1/4 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, mayo, onion and garlic until blended. Stir in tomatoes and red peppers. Stir in mozzarella, Italian blend, and Parmesan cheeses. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until edges are bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with crackers ( I served Wheat Thins Holiday shapes.)

SAUERKRAUT GOULASH
1 1/2 lbs. lean leg of pork or pork butt
2 Tbl flour
2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbl fat
2 Tbl minced onion
2-3 Tbl hot water
1 # 21/2 can sauerkraut (you can use a 1 or 2 lb. bag of sauerkraut depending on the amount of pork you are cooking)
2 cups hot water
1 1/2 cups sour cream
Use a tight covered sauce pan or dutch oven. Cut pork into 2 inch cubes. Coat cut up meat evenly in plastic bag containing flour, salt, paprika, set aside. Heat fat in the pan over low heat. Add onions cook until transparent, stirring occasionally. Put meat into pan and brown all sides over medium heat, stirring now and then. Add 2-3 Tbl. of hot water, cover pan and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add small amount of water as needed. Before the hour is up, if desired rinse sauerkraut in cold water for a milder taste. Mix sauerkraut with the meat, add 2 cups hot water. Bring to boiling point, simmer 1/2 hour longer or until meat is tender. Remove pan from heat. Add 1 1'2 cups cooking liquid to sour cream blending well. Blend into meat mixture stirring constantly, cook over low heat 3-5 minutes, do not boil. Serve with dumplings. What I do is make dumplings and blend them in with this mixture it is delicious.

Dessert was Red Velvet cake. I have made from scratch before Red Velvet cake but there is so much red food coloring in it and it is just a hassle to make. I have found that the best Red Velvet Cake mix is by Duncan Hines. I then frosted with my homemade butter cream frosting.

I hope you enjoyed me sharing these recipes with you. I do not know about you but where I live we have had a cold snap and the pork dish with dumplings may just be what you need to warm up today. Try making it and enjoy. You can also bake the pork dish in the oven if you would like @ 350 degrees and keep checking like you would if you made it on top of the stove. Also add a bit of grated carrot to the sauerkraut for added flavor.